Laos' Hmong may be facing a silent threat of suppression

While it is unclear whether the Hmong rebels are able to wage a military campaign, they are ready to conduct a media campaign.

The FCC says it has given satellite telephones, cameras and video equipment to its operatives in Laos so it can tell the story of what it calls "the genocide" of Hmong rebels.

"We want to bring the world's attention to the people in mountains because they're being wiped out," said Ed Szendrey, who helped found the FFC. "Over the last 28 years there've been about 28,000 deaths."